Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union,

Having regard to the 2005 Treaty of Accession,

Having regard to the 2005 Act of Accession (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Act of Accession’), and in particular Article 3(4) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament^f1,

Whereas:

The Convention established by the Council in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union^f2 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Mutual Assistance Convention’) was signed at Brussels on 29 May 2000 and entered into force on 23 August 2005.

The Mutual Assistance Convention was complemented by the Protocol signed on 16 October 2001, which entered into force on 5 October 2005^f3 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Mutual Assistance Protocol’).

Article 3(3) of the Act of Accession provides that Bulgaria and Romania are to accede to the conventions and protocols concluded between the Member States, listed in Annex I to the Act of Accession, which comprises, inter alia, the Mutual Assistance Convention and the Mutual Assistance Protocol. They are to enter into force in relation to Bulgaria and Romania on the date determined by the Council.

In accordance with Article 3(4) of the Act of Accession, the Council is to make all adjustments required by reason of accession to those conventions and protocols,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: